Closures and packaging



Aug. 15, 19 7 w. E. GRUNDMANN ETAL CLOSURES AND PACKAGING 4 Sheets-SheetFiled Feb. 11, 1966 INVENTORS. WALTER E. GRUNDMA/V/V a ROBERT L. LGBARGE Attorney Aug. 15, 1967 w. E. GRUNDMANN ETAL CLOSURES ANDPACKAGING 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 11

INVENTORS. WAL 75/? E GRU/VDMA/WV &

ROBERT L. LOBAHGE arney Al f g- 1967 w. E. GRUNDMANN ETAL 3,335,890

CLOSURES AND PACKAGING 4 Sheets-Sheet 8 NE e w N E08 vN m L 7 T R E 5 7MR W y B a 0 e u m m 6 9 6 4 1 2 6 1 mwnm b. WW d 6 m 2 m a 20 w a mumA! farney Aug. 15, 1967 Filed Feb. 11,. 1966 W. E. GRUNDMANN ETALCLOSURES AND PACKAGING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. WAL TER E. GRU/VDMAIV/V a BY ROBE/PT L. L084 IP65 Afrorney United States Patent 3,335,890CLOSURES AND PACKAGING Walter E. Grundmann and Robert L. La Barge,Richmond, Ind., assignors to Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh,Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Feb. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 526,83720 Claims. (Cl. 215-11) This invention relates in general to the art ofpackaging and is more particularly addressed to the provision ofpilferproof or tamperproof hermetically sealed packaging unitsincorporating unitized closure assemblies capable of and adapted to beapplied to containers in a single station or tool setup, asdistinguished from sequential and separate application of severalindividual closure elements or fitments or sub-assemblies thereof, toprovide a multi-part tamperproof single use unitized closure-containerpackage. Practice of the invention, when desired, can be performed undergas and/ or vapor environmental conditions productive of sterilizedvacuumized and/or pressurized unitized packages, whether theenvironmental conditions and process steps associated therewith, andessential thereto, are established and carried out in separate stationsor during the single station afiixation of the closure assemblies ontheir complementary containers, as will be hereinafter explained andreferred to in more detail.

Tamperproof or pilferproof packages incorporating unitized closureassemblies falling within the scope and practice of the invention lendthemselves to packaging and dispensing portions or servings of fluids,including medicinal and/ or sterilized potable liquids, a prime exampleof which is dietetic liquid formulae for infant consumption, in whichlatter case -a unitized package of the invention is preferably providedin the form of a sterilized non-refillable hermetically sealedvacuumized container or bottle having a flexible feeding nipplepermanently sealed and secured thereto and over which a tamperproofshroud is removably secured to protect the nipple against contaminationprior to authorized single use tell-tale opening and dispensing use ofthe contents of the package.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a unitizedclosure assembly adapted to be affixed to a container to provide anon-refillable protectively shrouded single use tamperproof package.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure assemblycomprising several separately fabricated elements in axially concentricunitized nested relationship adapted to be aflixed as a unitizedassembly on a container in a single station closure-affixing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tamperproofinfant-feeding nipple and container package incorporating improvedventing structure insuring atmospheric pressure control within thecontainer as an operative feature during the intended use of thepackage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel method forapplying unitized closure assemblies or fitments of the invention oncontainers by axially applied and circumferentially controlled forcesapplied against exterior surfaces of the closure assemblies inopposition to the resistance of substantially rigid containersunderlying the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fullyunderstood and appreciated from consideration of the followingspecification.

Unitized closure assemblies typical of the invention, prior to and afterintegrated aflix-ation thereof to containers to provide tamperproofnon-refillable packages in accordance with the practice and advantagesof the invention, are hereinafter fully described in the followingspecification in conjunction with the appended illustrations, in which:

ice

FIG. 1 represents an exploded view, in partial sectional elevation, ofseveral separate closure fitments or elements prior to axially nestedassembly thereof to provide a preferred unitized closure assembly inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 represents a bottom plan view, to slightly enlarged scale, of thenipple element of FIG. 1 with a broken line circle showing a containerfinish centered therein, and with a fragmentary area broken out toillustrate interior structural features thereof;

FIG. 3 represents a sectional elevational view of the nipple elementtaken on the plane 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 represents a plan view, to slightly enlarged scale, of the diskelement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 represents a sectional elevational view on the plane 5-5 of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 represents a plan view, to slightly enlarged scale, of a modifiedand substitutable disk element for that of FIGS. 1, 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 represents a sectional elevational view taken on the plane 7-7 ofFIG. 6, with a similar disk stacked thereagainst in broken lineconstruction;

FIG. 8 represents a transverse sectional view taken on the plane 8-8 ofFIG. 3 with a broken line circle showing the periphery of the diskelement of either of FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 centered therein;

FIG. 9 represents a unitized closure assembly, in partial sectionalelevation, to the same scale and on the same plane as FIG. 3, of all ofthe elements of FIG. 1 typical of an article of manufacture respondingto conventional shipping, hoppering, closure placement, and conveyingpractices essential to modern packaging requirements, and adapted forsubsequent aflixation of the unitized closure assembly to provide atamperproof non-refillable unitized package of the invention in a singletool setup, a complementary container being illustrated in broken lineconstruction in underlying axially registered unaflixed support thereof;

FIG. 10 represents a fragmentary sectional elevational view similar toFIG. 9 with the modified disk elements of FIGS. 6 and 7 incorporatedtherein;

FIG. 11 represents a top exterior plan view of the unitized closureassembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 represents a sectional elevational view to the same scale and onthe same plane as FIGS. 3 and 9, but compositely illustrating theunitized closure assembly of FIG. 9 following hermetic vacuumizedsealing afiixation thereof on an underlying complementary container toprovide a tamperproof package of the invention, as well as illustratingthe package to the right of center of the illustration in authorizedopen condition thereof;

FIG. 13 represents an enlarged scale fragmentary sectional elevationalview illustrating regional distortion of the nipple flange area of theauthorizedly opened unitized package of FIG. 12 responding to anexteriorly exerted pulling force on the permanently afixed nipplethereof;

FIG. 14 represents a View similar to FIG. 13 illustrating regionaldistortion of the nipple flange area in response to an exteriorlyexerted pushing force on the permanently aflixed nipple of theauthorizedly opened utilized package of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 represents a sectional elevational view similar to FIG. 3 of anequally substitutable nipple therefor;

FIG. 16 represents a sectional plan view taken on the plane 16-16 ofFIG. 15 with a sectionalized portion broken out to illustrate interiorstructural features thereof;

FIG. 17 represents a bottom plan view of the nipple of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 represents a fragmentary sectional elevational view, similar tothe lower left portion of FIG. 12, but illustrating the substitutablenipple of FIG. 15 and sub- 3 stitutable disk of FIGS. 6 and 7incorporated in the package thereof;

FIG. 19 represents a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the lowerflanged area of a modified nipple substitutable for either of thenipples of FIGS. 3 and 15;

FIG. 20 represents a view similar to FIG. 19 of a further embodiment ofnipple substitutable for any one of the nipples of FIGS. 3, 15 and 19;

FIG. 21 represents a fragmentary tool setup, including the unitizedclosure assembly of FIG. 9 during vacuumizing vapor treatment and priorto its affixation on an underlying container therefor, in substantialsectional elevation; and

FIG. 22 represents the fragmentary tool setup of FIG. 21 illustratingcompletion of a unitized closure assembly aflixation operation andresulting unitized package of the invention on its underlying container.

Characteristic features and elements of an exemplary embodiment ofunitized closure assembly of the invention, capable of fulfilling therequirements of an article of manufacture, are structurally definable interms of essential closure fitments or elements comprising a contentsdispensing member, such as a flexibly resilient or elasticinfant-feeding nipple, adapted to be permanently sealed adjacent andagainst upwardly directed axially and radially stepped top sealingfinishes or surfaces of a rigid container, the dispensing memberincorporating an imperforate rigid disk adapted to sealably separate theinterior of the container from an interior cavity formed by thedispensing member or nipple enclosed within a frangibly removable outerprotective overseal or shroud provided with a contiguous dependingclosure affixing band or locking ring engageable with the dispensingmember, as well as with an exterior surface of the container, andadapted to form therewith a permanently secured hermetically sealedtamperproof unitized closure-container package.

In a preferred unitized single use package of the invention, authorizedfacile removal of the protective shroud thereof is made possible byincorporating a frangible zone between the protective shroud and itscontiguous depending locking band, fracture of which zone, in responseto external pressure applied against an exterior surface of theprotective shroud, resulting in separation of an upper portion thereoffrom its lower secured locking band, in the absence of a tool, tothereby expose the contents dispensing member or nipple in condition foroperative intended use in permanently sealed aflixation of the latter toits underlying container.

In more detail, and referring to the appended illustrations, a container10, such as a molded or blown substantially rigid glass or plasticbottle, is provided having an entrance opening defined by an upwardlydirected substantially horizontal flat annular top sealing surface orfinish 12 in combination with a lateral or side finish 14, preferablydiverging downwardly contiguously therefrom into slightly flared orfllleted connection to a second radially outwardly and upwardly facingannular sealing surface or finish 16 providing a laterally projectingshoulder or locking bead 18 therebelow.

One embodiment of unitized closure assembly adapted to be permanentlyaffixed to the container Ill, in accordance with a practice of theinvention, will be best appreciated in respect to its individualelements and unitized assembly thereof illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5,8 and 9. With particular initial reference to the exploded viewillustrated in FIG. 1, it will be observed that the essential elementsof a subsequently and completely unitized closure assembly satisfyingthe invention includes a contents dispensing member, such as a flexiblyresilient natural or synthetic elastic rubber infant-feeding nipple 30,having a substantially vertical cylindrical upstanding teat portion 32and a radially outwardly directed axially stepped interiorly hollow baserepresented in entirety by the reference numeral 34. As herein selectedfor purposes of illustration and not limitation, the nipple 30terminates in 4 a perforated generally spherically shaped dischargemammilla or sucking orifice 36, and the base 34 is configurated toprovide radially outwardly extending upper and lower substantiallyparallel annular flanges 38 and 40, respectively, in unitary connectionand axial stepped separation by a substantially vertically disposedcylindrical ring or web section 42. The lower annular flange 40preferably terminates in an outer peripheral upstanding bulbous rim 44and otherwise presents a substantially horizontal downwardly directedannular surface area 46 (FIG. 3) for bearing support and sealing contactagainst the container finish 16. Upwardly converging contiguousconnection of the base 34 to the cylindrical teat portion 32 of thenipple 30 is provided by a truncated cone configuration or tubular websection 48 which may be exteriorly thickened by a substantially rightcylindrical outwardly shouldered reinforcing portion or exterior annularrib 50.

Additional structural features of the nipple 30 include the provision ofa radially inwardly directed annular web or interior flange 52 locatedaxially between the aforesaid radially outwardly directed flanges 38 and40. The interior flange 52 provides and presents a downwardly directedsubstantially horizontal annular undersurface bearing area 54 (FIG. 3)for disposition against the upwardly directed sealing finish 12 of thecontainer 10 and terminates at its inner unsupported peripheral edge inan inwardly and downwardly tapered circumferential feather edge fla-pconfiguration 56.

Interior flange 52, axially disposed below the interior undersurface ofthe upper flange 38, forms therewith an inwardly open recess withinwhich a radial marginal annular edge area of a substantially rigid andimperforate disk 62 is received and supported, as best illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 12 disclosing a unitized closure assembly satisfying theinvention. The outer radial annular marginal area of the disk 62 ispreferably radially ruffled, fluted or corrugated at 64 (FIGS. 5 and 6),the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained, and undersurface ofthe nipple base upper flange 38 is provided with an integral downwardlydirected circumferential bead 66, preferably of generally triangulartransverse configuration or cross-section, with its reduced apex facingtowards and .overlying the annular ruffled or corrugated rim area of thedisk 62. Radial location of the head 66, in respect to the underlyingupwardly directed surface of the interior flange 52 of the nipple 30, iswithin the radial width of the flange 52 and is preferably substantiallycentrally located in respect to the width of the sealing surface 12 ofthe container 10 in axial registry within the nipple base 34, as will beobserved from scrutiny of the appended illustrations.

The disk 62 is axially centered and circumferentially spaced from therear wall of the recess 60 through provision of three or morecircumferentially spaced interior vertically disposed ribs 68 (FIGS. 3,8, 9 and 10) formed integrally with the nipple base 34, which providearcuate clearance channels 70 (FIG. 8) between the outer edge of thedisk 62 and rear wall of the recess 60 both in the compressed anduncompressed condition of the nipple base 34 on its container 10 (FIGS.9, 10 and 12).

Similarly, three or more integral interior vertical ribs 72 (FIGS. 2, 3,9 and 10) below the interior flange 52' axially center the nipple 30(FIG. 2) in respect to the lateral finish 14 of container 10, whileproviding arcuate channels 74 t-herebetween particularly in anuncompressed condition of the nipple base 34 on its container 10.

Assembly of the disk 62 within the recess 60 in the hollow base 34 ofthe nipple has been readily accomplished by circumferentiallyelastically stretching and widening the bottom lower entrance to thehollow nipple base 34 and entry of the disk therewithin.

A protective shroud or closure member completely surrounds and enclosesthe exterior surfaces of the nipple 30, except for its open bottom end,and has been illustrated in the form of a drawn substantially inelasticmetallic shell having an upwardly extending tubular body portion 82terminating at its upper end in a normally slightly outwardly domed orconvex top panel 84 and at its lower end in an integral dependinglaterally outwardly and axially stepped base identified in its entiretyby the reference numeral 86.

The base 86 preferably incorporates an upper substantially horizontallaterally extending annular flange 88 contiguous with the lower end of atubular body portion 82 and is downwardly or axially stepped to providea cylindrical band or ring portion 90 which is outwardly or laterallyconfigurated at its lower edge to provide a transversely substantiallyreversely curved laterally extending flange 92 and an additional axiallydepending cylindrical terminating locking band or ring 94 defining anopen circular entrance to the shroud 80. Restraining frictionalengagement between interior surfaces of the base 86 of shroud 80 andcoextensive underlying and/or adjacent exterior surfaces of the nipple30 react to provide unitized nested assembly of the nipple 30, the disk62 therewithin, and the outer protective shroud 80 (FIG. 9). Dimensionalinterference selection of the diameters and circumferences of .one ormore of the internal surfaces defining the lower end of the tubular bodyportion 82, the cylindrical rim or ring 90 and terminating locking band94 of the substantially inelastic shroud 80 to provide frictionalengagement and circumferential clamping force against one or more of theunderlying exterior circumferential surfaces of the nipple 30coextensive therewith and existing in the form of laterally outwardlydirected surfaces comprising the annular rib 50, cylindrical ringsurface 42 and outer terminal edge cylindrical surface of the lowerflange 40 and bulbous rim 44, respectively, has provided unitizedassembly of the shroud 80, nipple 30 and its internally supported disk62, as best illustrated in FIG. 9, wit-h the disk 62 acting as atransverse rigid strut against inward collapse of the nipple base 34under the circumferential forces developed by the inelastic shroud inradially inwardly directed restraining confinement of the nipple base inunitized closure assemblies of the invention.

The shroud 80 can also be fabricated from substantially inelasticmaterials other than metals, such as from many of the commerciallyavailable substantially inelastic plastics.

Unitized closure assemblies of FIG. 9 thus produced have withstoodconventional conveying, hoppering and closure-applying machinery andpractices associated with the packaging industry without disassembly andwithout interfering in any way in their production and shipment tocustomers of the same for subsequent permanent aflixation to containers.

Reference to FIG. 11 will reveal a frangible circumferential zonelocated in the valley formed in the reversely curved lower flange 92 ofthe shroud 80, the frangible zone being preferably provided in the formof two or more arcuate slots 96 interrupted in their circumferentialtrace and continuity by connecting bridges 98. Manifestly, acircumferential line of perforations or a circumferentially scoredgroove could be employed for this same purpose.

FIG. 12 compositely reveals the unitized closure assembly of FIG. 9following afiixation as well as after authorized opening of a unitizedclosure-container package of the invention. From this illustration itwill be observed that the nipple 30 has been compressibly andelastically deformed from the original dimensional configuration of itsbase portion 34, as well as circumferentially and axially restrained bythe substantially inelastic enclosing base configuration 86 of theshroud 80', in the hermetically sealed tamperproof condition of theunitized closure assembly on its container 10, illustrated to the leftof center in this illustration. It will be observed in this respect thatthe hermetically sealed condition of the container and nipple 30 isdeveloped between surfaces of the elastically compressed and deformednipple base 34, namely the downwardly directed undersurfaces 54 and 46of nipple base flanges 52 and 40 respectively, in coextensivesubstantially horizontal abutment against the upwardly directed steppedcontainer finish surfaces 12 and 16 respectively. Additional sidesealing may also be accomplished and developed between the elasticallyaxially compressed and circumferentially confined cylindrical Websection 42 of the nipple base 34 in coextensive lateral abutment againstan underlying cylindrical area of the side finish 14 of container 10,although side sealing is not essential to the practice and performanceof the invention.

In respect to the imperforate disk 62, and again referring to FIG. 12 ofthe illustrations, deformation of the nipple base 34 in a unitizedclosure affixing operation also results in elastic deformation andcontacting abutment between the upper and lower walls of the recess 60coextensive with the opposite face annular fluted marginal areas of thedisk 62 received therebetween to develop a hermetically sealedtransverse partition between the interior of the container 10 andinterior of the nipple 30. In this regard, the sealing generated byelastic deformation of the reduced cross-sectional area of thetriangular shaped head 66 against the upper radially fluted orcorrugated annular rim area of the disk 62 has been determined todevelop continuous circumferential hermetic sealing abutment against theupper fluted surface of the disk 62 regardless of the effectiveness orestablishment of hermetic sealing between the underside surface of thedisk 62 within the nipple recess 60.

Authorized opening of the unitary tamperproof package of the inventionhas been simplified to eliminate the need of cutting tools or openingdevices. In this connection, mere application of hand-exerted pressuresubstantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the container andafiixed shroud against the upwardly extending tubular body portion 82 ofthe shroud has served to fracture the bridges 98 in the circumferentialline of weakening, or frangible zone, between the lower permanentlysecured locking band 94 and remaining unitary structure of the shroud89, illustrated to the right of center of the package of FIG. 12,permanent affixation of the unitary closure assembly of FIG. 12 havingbeen accomplished by inward permanent deformation, as by a spinningoperation or the like, of the lower terminal end of the locking band 94beneath the shoulder formed by the projecting head 18 of the container10, an essential feature of the unitized closure assembly aflixation tobe later described in more precise detail. The ease of authorizedopening of a unitized package of FIG. 12, as described above, hasidentified the tamperproof package of the invention as incorporating aflip-off protective shroud, the upwardly projecting tubular body portion82 of which serves as a lever in effecting its removal in response tohand-applied pressure thereagainst above the plane of the previouslydescribed fracture zone incorporated therein.

It will be observed that authorized removal of the upper-portion of theshroud 80 exposes the nipple 30 in permanent attachment to the container10 as a result of the unremoved lockin gly installed securing lowerportion of the locking band 94 (FIG. 12). It will also be observed thathermetic sealing of the lower nipple flange 40 against the upwardlydirected lower container finish 16 still obtains, following authorizedopening of the unitized package, augmented by the undisturbedcompressively restrained and deformed elastic bulbous nipple rim 44 insealing contact between the remaining permanently secured portion of theaforesaid permanently deformed lower terminal end portion 100 of theaforesaid locking band 94 and underlying container finish coextensivetherewith, which condition insures against any outward leakage of theliquid contents of the container 10 adjacent the so secured lower flange40 of the nipple 30. The internal cylindrical circumference of thelocking band 94 is deliberately selected slightly larger than thelateral outwardly directed coextensive container finish underlying thesame to accommodate ovality and container manufacturing tolerances,which dimensional selection also insures appreciable elastic deformationand side wrapping of the peripheral bulbous rim 44 of the lower nippleflange 40 under compression against the side sealing finish of thecontainer underlying the same.

Removal of the upper portion of the shroud 80 also permits the elasticnipple base 34 to resiliently return to its original dimensionallyuncompressed and circumferentially unconfined condition above thepermanently secured and sealingly compressed peripheral portion of thelower flange 40 and bulbous bead 44 of the nipple base 34 to therebyrelease compressive restraint of the disk 62 within the nipple baserecess 60 and destroy or break the circumferential hermetic seal betweenthe triangular bead 66 and upper fluted surface of the imperforate disk62.

Intercommunication between the interior of the nipple 30 3 and container10 is thereby established radially outwardly through the flutes 64 onthe underside of the otherwise imperforate rigid disk 62 discharginginto the arcuate channels 70 surrounding the outer periphery of the disk62 (FIG. 8) and communicating with the upper surface flutes 64 of thedisk 62. Radially disposed slots 102 in the upper surface of theinwardly directed flange 52 of the nipple base 34 have been found toreact and aid in relieving any tendency of surface adhesion between theunderside of the disk 62 and abutting upper surface of therecess-forming nipple flange 52 following authorized opening of theunitized package illustrated on the right of center in FIG. 12. Inaddition, preferably two diametrically opposed venting apertures 104 areprovided through the cylindrical wall or web portion 42 of the nipplebase 34.

Unitized closure assemblies and unitary packages of the invention, in apreferred and refined form thereof, incorporate a downwardly directedfeather edge rim or flap portion 56 on the inner terminalcircumferential edge of the interior nipple base flange 52. The inherentresilience of the elastically flexible nipple 30 and the downwardly andinwardly directed and reduced transverse cross-section of the interiorcircumferential feather edge 56 react to provide a flutter valve sealresponding to differential pressure between the interior of container 10and outside atmospheric pressure entering the venting apertures 104 intothe circumferential space between the underside of the interior nippleflange 52 and upwardly directed sealing finish 12 of container 10 in theuncompressed or open condition of the package of FIG. 12. Whilecircumferential hermetic sealing of the flap portion 56 of the interiorflange 52 of nipple 30 is restrainedly and compressibly establishedagainst the underlying inner curved peripheral surface 106 of thecontainer 10 in the affixed hermetically sealed condition of a unitizedclosure assembly in the unitized package of FIG. 12, authorized openingof the package relieves compressive restraint between the reducedconfiguration of the peripheral resilient feather edge of flap 56 andunderlying curved surface 106 of container 10 permitting separationtherebetween and entrance of atmospheric pressure in response tointerior vacuum induced within the nipple teat 32 by normal suckingaction exerted at the apertured mammilla 36 of the nipple 30 underbiasing pressures within the nipple above the disk 62 and the container10 therebelow. In this regard the flutter valve action of the resilientand flexible edge 56 of the nipple 30 reacts to make and breakcircumferential sealing contact with the inner curved surface 106 ofcontainer 10 in response to intermittent sucking action exerted at theapertured nipple mammilla 36 to thereby provide uniform delivery of theliquid contents of the container 10 by way of the earlier described openpassages formed between the annular marginal fluted or corrugated edgearea of the imperforate disk 62 and uncompressed flexible nipple base34, forming the disk supporting recess 60 therewithin, in theauthorizedly open condition and intended use of the unitarynipple-container package of the invention. It will be observed also thatthe undersurface 54 of the interior flange 52 of the nipple base 34, inthe open condition of the package of FIG. 12, is spaced above thecontainer finish 12 therebelow and that this space is in directcommunication with atmospheric pressure admitted through the ventingaperture or apertures 104. However, since positive contact of thefeather edge flap 56 against the curved interior surface 106 of thecontainer obtains under balanced interior and exterior pressures withrespect to the container 10, no leakage of liquid contents of thecontainer 10 through the apertures 104 will occur.

FIG. 13 is illustrative of an opened package of the invention andperformance of the seal between the container 10 and permanently securednipple 30 in reaction to a physically applied pulling force exerted onthe elastic nipple, as distinguished from normal placid sucking actionthereon. It will be observed that the permanently secured nipple base34, on excessive pulling force away from container 10, is reducedinwardly, as evidenced by the upwardly inclined flexible annular or ringportion 42 thereof, which is reflected in inward displacement of theinterior flange 52 and rotational pivoting circumferential contactbetween the flexible feather edge or flap portion 56 thereof in positivecontact against the inner curved surface 106 of the container mouth tothus maintain the flexible seal therebetween against liquid contentsleakage outwardly into and through the venting apertures 104.

Similarly in FIG. 14, generally downwardly pushing against a permanentlysecured and exposed nipple 30 increases circumference of the unclampedportion of the nipple base 34, as evidenced by the downwardly convergingcondition of the cylindrical flexible ring portion 42 thereof, which isagain reflected in flexibly adjusted circumferential contact between theundersurface of the flexible feather edge rim or flap portion 56 of theinterior nipple flange 52 and rigid curved finish 106 of the container10 to maintain a seal against outward leakage of liquid contents throughthe venting apertures 104 from container 10.

The underside sealing surface of the feather edge peripheral flap 56 ofthe nipple 30 is preferably selected to provide a substantially flatsurface tangential in free uncompressed condition of the nipple base 34against the inner curved surface 106 of the container 10. However, theflexible and resilient properties exhibited by the nipple 30, coupledwith the inwardly and downwardly reduced transverse cross-section of theflap 56, readily permit the aforesaid flap 56 to arcuately conform tothe curved container surface 106 under very slight compressive pressuresto establish a leak-proof seal therebetween which can still respond tothe admission of atmospheric pressure within the authorizedly openedpackage of FIG. 12 in response to an interior vacuum in the container 10developed by sucking action on the exposed nipple mammilla 36.

FIGS. 6 and 7 disclose a substitutable imperforate rigid disk 108 forthe disk 62 in the previously described unitized closure assembly andunitary package of the invention. It will be observed that the disk 108has a centrally located upstanding panel 110 and is also radiallymarginally annularly fluted or ruffled at 112 in a manner similar to theflutes 64 of disk 62. The raised central panel 110, however, preventsoverall coextensive abutting surface contact between adjacent disks 108in a stack of the same, as in a magazine tube of the disks, the axiallyseparated peripheral edges of such a stack, as indicated by the lowerdisk in broken line or phantom construction in FIG. 7, permitting easeof individual selection and separation of the lowermost disk 108 from astack of the same. It will also be manifest from FIG. 10 that the disk108 is not only substitutable for disk 62 within the recess 60 of thenipple base 34 of nipple 30, but that it will func- 9 tion, on referenceto FIG. 12, in the same manner previously described for the disk 62.

An additional embodiment of the invention will be observed on referenceto FIGS. 15 through 18. Therein a nipple 116 has been provided which issubstantially the same as the previously described nipple 30 except forthe fact that the reinforcing annular rib 50 of nipple 30 has beeneliminated, the upwardly facing surfaceof the upper flange 118 has beenprovided with and upwardly directed circumferential bead 120, preferablyof triangular transverse cross-section or configuration with the apexuppermost, as distinguished from the circumferential bead 66 thereof,and the underside surface of the lower flange 122 is provided with oneor more triangular shaped circumferential grooves 124. In FIG. 18, itwill be observed that the bead 120 and groove or grooves 124 completelyor substantially disappear under elastic deformation of the nippleflanges 118 and 122 within the enclosing protection shroud 126 thereofin the permanently aflixed condition of the closure assembly. It will beunderstood in this connection that the interior cylindrical surfaces ofthe stepped base of the shroud 126 will initially circumferentially andaxially frictionally engage the uncompressed outwardly directedcylindrical surfaces 128 and 130 of the modified nipple 116 to providean initially unitized closure assembly in the same manner, as previouslydescribed for the closure assemblies of FIGS. 9 and 10. The modifiedcentrally raised disk 108 of FIGS. 6 and 7 has been included in theunitized closure assembly in permanently aflixed installation on itsunderlying container in FIG. 18 further revealing interchangeability ofthe disks 62 and 108 with either of the nipples 30 and 116.

In place of the slots 102 in the nipple 30, raised ribs 134 have beensubstituted therefor and have responded in the same manner as slots 102to insure against adhesion between the undersurface of the disk 108 andunderlying supporting wall of the inwardly directed interior flange 52of the nipple 116 (FIG. 18).

Advantages attributable to the structure of nipple 116 over that ofnipple 30 lie in the increased flexibility of the lower flange 122thereof in developing hermetic sealing of the nipple against thecontainer sealing finish underlying coextensive therewith, which mightintroduce a problem within the commercial manufacturing tolerancesencountered in glass and rigid plastic containers, in which caseconsiderable latitude in concentricity and surface finish can prevailrequiring increased distribution of the lower nipple flange 122 todevelop an acceptable hermetic seal. As for the upper circumferentialbead 120, authorized removal of the upper extremity of the shroud 126,by fracture thereof in the circumferential fracture zone 132 (FIG. 18),is given additional impetus by resilient expansion and substantialreturn of the bead 120 to its original uncompressed upstandingconfiguration.

FIG. 19 illustrates a fragmentary sectional elevational view of theexterior surface treatment and configuration of either of thecylindrical web portions contiguous with the upper and lower hollow baseflanges of the previously described nipples 30 and 116 of FIGS. 3 and 15re spectively. In FIG. 19, the readily identifiable exterior cylindricalsurface of nipples 30 and 116 can be provided with circumferentialserrations 138 as illustrated in this view, the downwardly directedangular disposition and profile of which react on axially nesteddisposition thereover of either of the protective shrouds 80 and 126, tocompressibly engage the coextensive overlying cylindrical surfaces ofthe shrouds and provide an increased degree of frictional resistanceagainst their removal by axial separation in a unitized closure assemblyincorporating the same.

Similarly in FIG. 20, the same identifiable exterior cylindrical nipplebase surface has been provided with an outwardly protrudingcircumferential bead 140 which 1d reacts on axial nesting within eitherof the shrouds and 126 to increase frictional nested assembly therewith.

A tool setup and method steps for aflixation on complementary containersof unitized closure assemblies of the inventionwill now be described inreference to FIGS. 21 and 22. In this connection, unitized closureassemblies exemplary of the invention have been illustrated in FIGS. 9and 10 in loosely supported unsecured condition on the container 10,shown in broken line or phantom outline in underlying relationshipthereto. Both unitized closure assembly embodiments (FIGS. 9 and 10)respond in identical manner to securing aflixation on a complementarycontainer therefor, and the unitized closure assembly of FIG. 9 has beenselected and illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 for purposes of describingthe method of the invention.

Unitized closure assemblies, loosely or unsecuredly supported on theirunderlying containers, are delivered in sequential order into axialalignment beneath a pressure block 144 of a closure afiixing mechanism.The pressure block 144 (FIGS. 21 and 22) is cavitied in substantialConfiguration to that of the lateral exterior profile surfaces of theprotective shroud 80 of the unitized closure assembly (FIG. 9). It willbe observed in this connection that the pressure block has an uppercylindrical wall 146 circumferentially grooved at 148 to receive andsupport a rubber or similar O-ring 150 for frictionally engaging theouter cylindrical surface of the tubular body portion 82 of theprotective shroud 80. Manifestly other resilient spring or mechanicalgrasping means could be employed for the O-ring 150. The cavity in theblock 144 otherwise conforms below its cylindrical wall 146 radiallyoutwardly at 152, downwardly at 154, again outwardly in a reverselycurved configuration 156 and dependently downwardly at 158 insubstantial dimensional conformity to the exterior configuration definedby the exterior surfaces of flange 88, cylindrical rim or ring 90, thereversely curved flange 92 and contiguous depending locking band 94,respectively, of the shroud 80. Of necessity, the de-' pending axiallength of the cylindrical wall 158 of the pressure block 144 is shorterthan the axial length of locking band 94, as will be hereinafterappreciated.

Relative axial movement between the pressure block 144 and axiallyaligned underlying container 10 loosely supporting its unitized closureassembly, as illustrated in FIG. 9, will project the tubular extension82 of the C10- sure assembly into exterior frictional engagement withthe O-ring 150 to restrain and hold the unitized closure assembly withinthe cavitated pressure block 144 and permit axial separation thereoffrom the container 10, as illustrated in FIG. 21. In this latterseparated condition of the container 10 and unitized closure assembly,live steam, or other inert gas or vapor, or mixtures there of, can beinjected into the interior of the nipple 30 through the flutes orruffles 64 in the disk 62, radial grooves 102 in upper surface of theinterior disk-supporting nipple flange 52 and around the marginal edgeof the loosely supported disk 62 to the interior of the nipple 30, fromwhence the pressurized media thus supplied will be discharged throughthe apertured mammilla 36 into the space between the inner surface ofthe shroud 80 and exterior teat surface 32 of the nipple 30 enclosedthereby. A gas or vapor manifold 160 with upwardly directed jetapertures 162 will suffice to supply the media for treat ment and/ orsterilization of the external and internal surfaces of the nipple 30,disk 62 and shroud 80 exposed thereto, as above described, whereasdownwardly directed jet apertures 164 will purge the container 10 aboveits contents and otherwise perform the same function Within the headspace of the container 10.

Preferably and substantially simultaneouusly with the aforesaid vapor orgas treatment of the unitized closure assembly and container 10,relative axial approach of the pressure block 144 and container 10places the unitized closure assembly in contact with the sealingfinishes of the container under a predetermined axial pressure, re-

sisted by the container 10, to hermetically seal the same and entrap thegas or vapor within the nipple 30, within the space between the nippleand enclosing shroud 80; as well as within the head space in thecontainer 10. The sodeveloped relative axial pressure elasticallydeforms and compresses the nipple base 34, as heretofore described indeveloping the hermetically sealed unitized closure-container packagesillustrated in FIGS. 12 and 18 to provide hermetically sealed andseparated compartments above and below the disk 62 and/ or disk 108. Atthis stage the lower terminal edge or rim 104 of the depending lockingband 94 of the protective shroud 80 is spun or otherwise permanentlydeformed beneath the shoulder provided by the head 18 of container 16, aroller disk 166 being satisfactory for this purpose. Axial separation ofthe unitized hermetically sealed package and pressure block 144 (FIG.22) is accomplished by relative axial movement therebetween and can beaided, if necessary, by the axially disposed knock-out pin 168.

Quenching or natural cooling of the entrapped elevated temperature steamor similar gas or vapor within the unitary secured package thus producedwill develop a vacuum within the nipple 30 and shroud 80 as well aswithin the head space of the container it In the present invention,advantage can be taken of the so-developed vacuum within the shroud 86to reverse the curvature of the top panel 84 thereof from outwardlyconvex to outwardly concave condition, both of which profiles aredisclosed in the composite illustration of FIG. 12. The aforesaidreversal from the outwardly convex to outwardly concave profile of thetop panel 84 is accompanied by an audible clicking sound which can serveto protect purchasers of unsound unitized packages of the invention. Forexample, unitized packages of FIGS. 12, 18 and 22 could have beeninitially satisfactorily vacuumized and hermetically sealed, asheretofore described, but could have lost interior vacuum in storage toreverse the concavity to convexity of the outwardly directed top panel84 of the shroud 80. Absence of the inwardly directed or concave profileof the top panel 84 is readily sightly observed by a purchaser and morepressure against an outwardly convex top panel 84 by a purchaser toreverse the same will develop an audible clicking sound, both of whichcharacteristics will identify an inferior and unsatisfactory commercialunitized packaged at time of purchase.

A narrow substantially fiat upper marginal rim panel 170 contiguous withthe initially outwardly centrally located convex top panel 84 andslightly curved connection to the upper wall of the tubular portion 82of the protective shroud 80 has been found to insure the reversibilityin profile of the top panel 84 and the audible clicking sound associatedwith such reversal thereof.

Elevated temperature steam has been successfully employed in theclosure-aflixing method herein described, the entrapped steam onsubsequent cooling of unitized single use packages of the inventionproducing a satisfactory level of vacuum or negative pressure within thecompartments separated by the imperforate disks 62 and 108, as well asserving to sterilize the outer and inner surfaces of the nipples 3t) and116 exposed to contact with the liquid contents of the container lit andoral contact by an infant consuming the same. Unitized packages of theinvention have also withstood autoclaving without destruction or failureof the hermetically sealed condition thereof. Inert positive pressuregas or vapor treatments could be employed to provide positive pressurewithin the unitized packages of the invention.

The embodiments and practices of the invention hereinabove described andillustrated encompass a method analyzable and definable in terms ofdirecting and applying axial pressure to axially and resilientlycompressively deform an apertured elastic dispensing member orinfantfeeding nipple into coextensive hermetic sealing relationshipagainst an annular rigid imperforate disk supported within an inwardlyopen interior circumferential recess cated transversely across and belowthe aperture in the dispensing member or nipple, while substantiallysimultaneously axially and resiliently compressively deforming at leasttwo downwardly facing undersurfaces of a pair of upper and lower axiallyand laterally separated contiguously and cylindrical connected annularflanges of the elastic dispensing member or nipple axially below theimperforate rigid disk against underlying upwardly directed upper andlower axially and laterally separated contigu- Ously and cylindricallyconnected annular sealing finishes or surfaces of a rigid container intocoextensive hermetic sealing relationship thereof, circumferentiallyconfining or restraining substantial outward diametrical expansion ofthe elastic dispensing member or nipple during elastic axial andresilient compressive deformation thereof, and permanently securing thelower flange of the dispensing member or nipple in hermetic sealingrelationship against the lower flange of the rigid container. Incidentalto but inclusive of the method of the invention herein expressed is thelocation of the recess and marginally embraced imperforate disktherewithin in overlying coextensive relationship to the upper upwardlydirected sealing finish of the container laterally inwardly and abovethe axially lower upwardly directed sealing finish thereof, wherebypermanent afiixation and securement of the lowermost flange in hermeticsealing contact on the container and authorized release of elasticdeformation and compression of the dispensing member or flexible nippleaxially above the secured portion thereof will serve to establishcommunication between opposite transverse surfaces of the imperforatedisk around the periphery thereof within the recess supporting the same.

Reference is made to FIG. 12 of the composite unitized package of theinvention in which the hermetically sealed and authorizedly openconditions of the several elements of a unitized package have beenillustrated. It will be observed that the imperforate disk 62. thereofassumes a substantially horizontal position in the sealed and openpackage. This is the preferred position of the disk 62, or itscounterpart 168 (FIGS. 6, 7, l0 and 18) in substitution therefor, and isexplained on the basis that the initial volume of elastic material inthe uncompressed condition of the hollow nipple base 34, andsubstantially similar hollow base of nipple 116, coupled with therelative disposition thereof above and below the disk in each instance,react under axial and circumferentially confined resilient deformationthereof against the container 10 and the disk 62 or 198 to redistributethe volume of the elastic material thereof and maintain the substantialhorizontal position of the disks, as illustrated. It is also to beappreciated that the freely supported or unclamped marginal rimcondition of the aforesaid disks in communicating clearance to oppositetransverse surfaces thereof, as heretofore described for the opencondition of a unitized hermetically sealed package of the invention,permits of slight angular or tilted disposition of the disks and partial.arcuate contact of the upper surfaces thereof against the uncompresseddepending circumferential sealing head 66 overlying the same, withoutobstructing free flow peripherally past the disks. The tilted or angulardisposition of the disks from the substantially horizontal dispositionthereof (FIG. 12) can result from normal use of the opened package intoan inclined position of the vertical axis thereof from that illustratedin FIG. 12, or from angular deflection of the nipple 30 in use out ofaxial registration with the longitudinal axis of the container 10.

Although specific embodiments have been selected for illustration anddescription of the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art to which the invention is addressed that modifications arepossible therein without departing from the scope and intent of theinvention, except as excluded by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A unitized single use tamperproof hermetically sealed packagecomprising:

(a) a rigid container enclosing fluid contents and having upwardlyfacing upper and lower laterally and axially separated contiguouslyconnected sealing finishes adjacent the entrance thereto,

(b) an elastically deformable resiliently flexible contents dispensingmember having an apertured discharge end and a lower generally hollowopen end base portion in abutting contact against the upwardly facingupper and lower container sealing finishes,

(c) an imperforate rigid disk transversely across the dispensing membersupported marginally within an inwardly open recess in the interior ofthe generally hollow base portion of the dispensing member axially aboveabutting contact of the dispensing member against the upwardly facingupper sealing finish of the container,

(d) a substantially inelastic shroud enclosing the dispensing member andengaging the same at axially separated exterior surfaces thereofoverlying the marginally supported disk and upper sealing finish of thecontainer, as well as overlying the lower sealing finish thereof, saidshroud having an axially depending locking band extending below thelower sealing finish of the container,

(e) said depending locking band being permanently deformed in lockingengagement with the container below the lower sealing finish thereof inaxial restraint and lateral confinement of the base portion of thedispensing member in elastic resilient deformation thereof in hermeticsealing relationship of the disk within its supporting recess andhermetic sealing relationship of the dispensing member with the upperand lower sealing finishes of the container, and

(f) a transverse frangibly rupturable fracture zone in said shroudaxially below the upper sealing finish of the container responding tolateral pressure against the shroud above the fracture zone to eflectseparation and removal of the shroud thereabove, whereby (g) removal ofthe shroud above its fracture zone relieves hermetic sealingrelationship of the disk within its supporting recess in the dispensingmemher to establish communication through the recess to oppositetransverse surfaces of the disk and relieves hermetic sealing of thedispensing member and upper sealing finish of the container, whilemaintaining permanent securement and hermetic sealing relationshipbetween the dispensing member and lower sealing finish of the container.

2. The unitized package in accordance with claim 1 in which theimperforate disk is undulatingly fluted over a marginal radiallyinwardly extending Width within the recess in the dispensing member.

3. The unitized package in accordance with claim 2 in which thedispensing member is an axially erect feeding nipple.

4. The unitized package in accordance with claim 3 in which theimperforate disk divides the package into two vacuumized compartmentsseparated by the imperforate rigid disk prior to authorized fracture andremoval of the shroud thereof.

5. The unitized package in accordance with claim 3 in which the feedingnipple is provided with a venting aperture through the generally hollowbase portion thereof intermediate the upwardly facing upper and lowersealing finishes of the container.

6. A unitized single use tamperproof hermetically sealed fluid contentsenclosing package comprising:

(a) a rigid container enclosing the fluid contents and having upwardlyfacing upper and lower radially outwardly and axially separated annularsealing finishes in contiguous cylindrical interconnection adjacent theentrance to the container,

(b) an elastically deformable resiliently compressible contentsdispensing nipple having a hollow apertured mammilla contiguous with anopen hollow base axially therebelow, the hollow base being configuratedto provide radially outwardly and axially separated annular flanges incontiguous cylindrical interconnection in axial overlying registry withthe upper and lower sealing finishes of the container,

(c) an inwardly projecting annular flange within the hollow base of thenipple forming a radially inwardly open circumferential recess with aninterior undersurface of the upper flange thereof, said inwardlydirected flange overlying the upper sealing finish of the container,

(d) an imperforate circular rigid disk having an annular marginal rimarea undulatingly ruffled and supportingly received within said recess,said disk and recess being adapted to establish communication throughthe recess to opposite transverse surfaces of the disk,

(e) a substantially inelastic protective shroud completely enclosingupwardly and laterally facing contiguous exterior surfaces of the nippleand having an open hollow lower end base portion substantiallyinteriorly conforming to and registering with upwardly facing exteriorsurfaces of the upper and lower flanges and contiguous cylindricalinterconnection thereof of the nipple base portion, said shroudterminating in a depending locking band extending axially below thelower sealing finish of the container,

(f) said depending locking band being permanently deformed againstremoval in locking engagement thereof below the lower sealing finish ofthe container in axially and circumferentially contacting abutmentbetween interior surfaces of the base portion of the shroud andcoextensive underlying exterior surfaces of the base portion of thenipple in elastically deformed resiliently compressed hermetic sealingrelationship of the nipple base portion against the disk within itsrecess and against the underlying upper and lower sealing finishes onthe container, and

(g) a transverse frangibly rupturable fracture zone in said shroudaxially below the upper sealing finish of the container responding tolateral pressure against an exterior surface of the shroud above thefracture zone to cause rupture and removal of that portion of the shroudabove the fracture zone, whereby (h) the nipple mammilla is exposed touse and the hermetic sealing of the nipple base portion against the diskand upper sealing finish of the container is relieved to establishintercommunication between the container and nipple mammilla.

7. The unitized package in accordance with claim 6 in which a vent toatmosphere is provided radially through the contiguous cylindricalconnection between the upper and lower flanges of the nipple baseportion and interior of the container, on fracture and removal of theshroud, and said inwardly directed flange of the nipple base portionterminating in an inwardly and downwardly reduced feather edgecircumferential rim in contacting coexistensive engagement of itsunderside with an inwardly blending circumferential surface of thecontainer finish adjacent the upper sealing finish thereof.

8. A unitized closure assembly adapted for hermetic sealing on a rigidcontainer to provide a single use tamperproof package adapted onauthorized removal of a portion of the closure assembly to provide anexposed contents dispensing member in permanent sealed affix-ation onsaid container, said unitized closure assembly comprising:

(a) an apertured elastically deformable contents dispensing memberhaving an open end generally l hollow base portion comprising upper andlower radially outwardly extending annular flanges axially separated andcontiguously cylindrically interconnected, said annular flanges beingadapted to overlie annular sealing finishes adjacent the entrance to arigid container,

(1)) an inwardly directed annular sealing flange within the base portionof the dispensing member axially spaced below the upper flange thereofand forming an inwardly open recess therewith axially above the lowerflange thereof,

(c) an imperforate rigid circular disk having a marginal transverseannular rim portion loosely supported within said recess and formingtherewith a communication passage to opposite transverse surfaces of thedisk,

((1) an open end substantially inelastic cup-shaped protective shroudenclosing the contents dispensing member and having a base portion inaxial open end registry with the open end base portion of the contentsdispensing member,

(e) the base portion of the shroud having radially outwardly extendingupper and lower annular flanges axially separated and contiguouslycylindrically interconnected in overlying axial and circumferentialregistry with the upper and lower flanges and contiguous cylindricalinterconnecting portion respectively of said contents dispensing memberbase por tion and terminating below its lower annular flange in adepending locking band, and

(f) the base portions of the contents dispensing member and protectiveshroud having restraining engagement between the axially overlyingcontiguous cylindrical interconnecting portion between the respectiveupper and lower flanges thereof retentive of the unitized closureassembly under environmental handling and processing of the same.

9. A unitized closure assembly adapted for hermetic sealing on acontainer to provide a single use tamperproof package adapted onauthorized removal of a portion of the closure assembly to provide anexposed contents dispensing member in permanent sealed afiixation onsaid container, said unitized closure assembly comprising:

(a) an apertured elastically deformable dispensing member having a baseportion comprising upper and lower axially separated contiguouscylindrically interconnected annular flanges adapted to overlie radiallyoutwardly extending interconnected axially separated annular sealingfinishes on a rigid container,

(b) an inwardly directed annular sealing flange within the base portionof the dispensing member axially spaced below the upper flange thereofand forming an inwardly open recess therewith axially above the lowerflange of the dispensing member,

(c) an imperforate circular disk having a marginal annular rim portionsupported within said recess and forming a communication passage throughthe recess to opposite transverse surfaces of the disk,

(d) an open end substantially inelastic cup-shaped protective shroudtelescopically enclosing upwardly facing annular and contiguous lateraldepending exterior cylindrical surfaces of the dispensing memberincluding the upper and lower annular flanges and an axially cylindricalweb section interconnecting said flanges of the dispensing member,

(c) said substantially inelastic protective shroud providing interiorcylindrical surfaces coextensive with exterior cylindrical surfaces ofthe dispensing member enclosed thereby in circumferential and axialrestraining engagement therebetween, and

(if) said restraining engagement between the dispensing member andshroud being retentive of the unitized closure assembly againstdisassembly thereof under environmental handling and processing of thesame.

10. A unitized closure assembly adapted for hermetic sealing on acontainer to provide a single use tamperproof package adapted onauthorized removal of a portion of the closure assembly to provide anexposed contents dispensing member in permanent sealed aifixation onsaid container, said unitized closure assembly comprising:

(a) an apertured elastically deformable dispensing member having a baseportion comprising upper and lower radially outwardly extendingcontiguously cylindrically interconnected axially separated annularflanges adapted to overlie radially outwardly extending contiguouslycylindrically interconnected axially separated annular sealing finisheson a rigid container,

(b) an inwardly directed annular sealing flange within the base portionof the dispensing member axially spaced below the upper flange thereofand forming an inwardly open recess therewith axially above the lowerflange of the dispensing member,

(c) an imperforate rigid circular disk having a marginal annular rimportion loosely supported within said recess and forming a communicationpassage through the recess to opposite transverse surfaces of the disk,

(d) an open end substantially inelastic cup-shaped protective shroudtelescopically enclosing upwardly fac ing annular and contiguous lateraldepending exterior cylindrical surfaces of the dispensing memberincluding the upper and lower annular flanges and an axially cylindricalweb section interconnecting said flanges of the dispensing member,

(e) said substantially inelastic protective shroud providing interiorcylindrical surfaces coextensive with exterior cylindrical surfaces ofthe dispensing member enclosed thereby in circumferential and axialrestraining engagement therebetween,

(f) a frangibly rupturable zone in the shroud axially below the disk andrecess within the base of the dispensing member permitting authorizedseverance of the shroud in a transverse plane, and

(g) said restraining engagement between the dispensing member and shroudbeing retentive of the unitized closure assembly against disassemblythereof under environmental handling and processing of the same.

11. A unitized closure assembly adapted for hermetic sealing securementover the entrance to a rigid container to provide a single usetamperproof package adapted on authorized removal of a portion of theunitized closure assembly to provide an exposed elastically deformablefeeding nipple in permanent hermetic sealed aflixation on saidcontainer, said unitized closure assembly comprising:

(a) the elastically deformable nipple having an apertured upstandingmammilla and a lower generally cylindrical hollow base portioncontiguous therewith and remote thereto,

(b) said nipple base portion comprising upper and lower radiallyoutwardly extending axially contiguous cylindrically interconnected andseparated annular flanges adapted to overlie radially outwardlyextending axially contiguous cylindrically interconnected and separatedannular sealing finishes carried by the rigid container,

(c) an inwardly directed annular flange intermediate the upper and lowerflanges forming an inwardly open recess with the upper flange of thenipple base,

(d) an imperforate rigid circular disk having a marginal transverseannular rim portion supported within said recess and forming acommunication passage through the recess to opposite upper and lowertransverse surfaces of the disk,

(e) a substantially inelastic open end shroud enclosing the exteriorsurfaces of the nipple including its base portion and having a dependinglocking band thereof extending axially below the base portion of thenipple,

(f) said shroud having a base portion, the interior contiguous surfaceconfiguration of which is substantially complementary to the exteriorcontiguous surface configuration of the nipple base,

(g) interior surfaces of the base of the substantially inelastic shroudproviding circumferential and axial nested frictional interferenceengagement with underlying coextensive outwardly directed cylindricalsurfaces of the elastically deformable nipple base, and

(h) said nested frictional interference engagement between the nipplebase and shroud being retentive of the unitized closure assembly againstdisassembly thereof under environmental handling and processing of thesame.

12. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in whichthe substantially inelastic protective shroud is provided with acircumferentially frangibly rupturable zone in a transverse planeoverlying the upwardly directed surface of the lower annular flange ofthe nipple base.

13. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in whichthe imperforate rigid disk is undulatingly fluted over the radial widthof its marginal annular rim within the recess in the nipple base.

14. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in whichthe upper wall of the inwardly open recess formed by the upper flange ofthe nipple base portion incorporates an axially downwardly projectingcircumferential sealing head of transverse triangular crosssectionhaving the apex thereof facing the upper surface of the disk within therecess.

15. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in whichthe upper surface of the inwardly directed intermediate flange of thenipple base portion forming the lower wall of the inwardly open recessis provided with one or more radial slots extending over the radialwidth thereof.

16. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in whichthe outer wall defining the inwardly open recess is provided withcircumferentially spaced vertical ribs for centering the disktherewithin in marginal vertical edge spaced relationship to the outerwall of the recess.

17. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in whichthe upper surface of the inwardly directed intermediate flange of thenipple base portion forming the lower wall of the inwardly open recessis provided with a plurality of spaced radial upstanding ribs.

18. The unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in whichthe axially contiguous cylindrical interconnection between the upper andlower flanges of the nipple base portion is provided with at least twodiametrically opposed radial venting apertures therethrough.

19. A unitized closure assembly in accordance with claim 11 in which theinwardly projecting intermediate flange of the nipple base portionterminates in a circumferential rim of downwardly and inwardly reducedflexibly resilient feather edge configuration.

20. The method of permanently aflixing a unitized closure assembly on afluid contents-containing rigid container to provide a unitized singleuse hermetically sealed package in which an elastically resilientlydeformable feeding nipple is exteriorly enclosed and frictionallysecured within a substantially inelastic protective shroud, the nippleand shroud each having an open end hollow base substantiallycomplementarily corifigurated to provide superimposed outwardlyextending upper and lower axially separated and contiguouslycylindrically interconnected flanges in axial restrained engagement andhaving an imperforate rigid disk disposed within an inwardly open recessin the nipple base axially below the upper flange thereof and the recessnormally providing a communication passage to opposite transversesurfaces of the disk, the method comprising the steps:

(a) loosely applying the shroud and enclosed nipple in supportingcontact of an undersurface of the lower flange of the nipple baseagainst an upwardly facing outwardly extending lower sealing finish ofthe rigid container in axial registry therebelow,

(b) laterally confining the outwardly directed surface of the shroudcontiguous with the upper and lower flanges as well as laterallyconfining the outwardly directed surface of a locking band dependentlycontiguous with and below the lower flange of the shroud base,

(c) applying axially directed pressure against upwardly facing exteriorsurfaces of the upper and lower flanges of the shroud base toelastically deform and resiliently compress the nipple base defining therecess therewithin into hermetic sealing relationship with at least onetransverse marginal area surface of the imperforate disk as well ashermetic sealing relationship of the nipple base with an underlyingupwardly facing lower sealing finish of the container and an uppersealing finish of the container axially above the lower sealing finishthereof in axial registry with the upper flange of the nipple base belowthe imperforate disk therewithin, and

(d) thereafter permanently deforming the lower terminal edge of theshroud locking band axially below said lower sealing finish of thecontainer into permanent securement with the container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1961 Mehl 21511 5/1966Meierhoefer 215l1

1. A UNITIZED SINGLE USE TAMPERPROOF HERMETICALLY SEALED PACKAGECOMPRISING: (A) RIGID CONTAINER ENCLOSING FLUID CONTENTS AND HAVINGUPWARDLY FACING UPPER AND LOWER LATERALLY AND AXIALLY SEPARATEDCONTIGUOUSLY CONNECTED SEALING FINISHES ADJACENT THE ENTRANCE THERETO,(B) AN ELASTICALLY DEFORMABLE RESILIENTLY FLEXIBLE CONTENTS DISPENSINGMEMBER HAVING AN APERTURED DISCHARGE END AND A LOWER GENERALLY HOLLOWOPEN END BASE PORTION IN ABUTTING CONTACT AGAINST THE UPWARDLY FACINGUPPER AND LOWER CONTAINER SEALING FINISHES, (C) AN IMPERFORATE RIGIDDISK TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE DISPENSING MEMBER SUPPORTED MARGINALLYWITHIN AN INWARDLY OPEN RECESS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE GENERALLY HOLLOWBASE PORTION OF THE DISPENSING MEMBER AXIALLY ABOVE ABUTTING CONTACT OFTHE DISPENSING MEMBER AGAINST THE UPWARDLY FACING UPPER SEALING FINISHOF THE CONTAINER, (D) A SUBSTANTIALLY INELASTIC SHROUD ENCLOSING THEDISPENSING MEMBER AND ENGAGING THE SAME AT AXIALLY SEPARATED EXTERIORSURFACES THEREOF OVERLYING THE MARGINALLY SUPPORTED DISK AND UPPERSEALING FINISH OF THE CONTAINER, AS WELL AS OVERLYING THE LOWER SEALINGFINISH THEREOF, SAID SHROUD HAVING AN AXIALLY DEPENDING LOCKING BANDEXTENDING BELOW THE LOWER SEALING FINISH OF THE CONTAINER, (E) SAIDDEPENDING LOCKING BAND BEING PERMANENTLY DEFORMED IN LOCKING ENGAGEMENTWITH THE CONTAINER BELOW THE LOWER SEALING FINISH THEREOF IN AXIALRESTRAINT AND LATERAL CONFINEMENT OF THE BASE PORTION OF THE DISPENSINGMEMBER IN ELASTIC RESILIENT DEFORMATION THEREOF IN HERMETIC SEALINGRELATIONSHIP OF THE DISK WITHIN ITS SUPPORTING RECESS AND HERMETICSEALING RELATIONSHIP OF THE DISPENSING MEMBER WITH THE UPPER AND LOWERSEALING FINISHES OF THE CONTAINER, AND (F) A TRANSVERSE FRANGIBLYRUPTURABLE FRACTURE ZONE IN SAID SHROUD AXIALLY BELOW THE UPPER SEALINGFINISH OF THE CONTAINER RESPONDING TO LATERAL PRESSURE AGAINST THESHROUD ABOVE THE FRACTURE ZONE TO EFFECT SEPARATION AND REMOVAL OF THESHROUD THEREABOVE, WHEREBY (G) REMOVAL OF THE SHROUD ABOVE ITS FRACTUREZONE RELIEVES HERMETIC SEALING RELATIONSHIP OF THE DISK WITHIN ITSSUPPORTING RECESS IN THE DISPENSING MEMBER TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONTHROUGH THE RECESS TO OPPOSITE TRANSVERSE SURFACES OF THE DISK ANDRELIEVES HERMETIC SEALING OF THE DISPENSING MEMBER AND UPPER SEALINGFINISH OF THE CONTAINER, WHILE MAINTAINING PERMANENT SECUREMENT ANDHERMETIC SEALING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DISPENSING MEMBER AND LOWERSEALING FINISH OF THE CONTAINER.